“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” – Jesus (Mt. 22:21)
“We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Peter and the Apostles (Acts 5:29)
What Would You Do?
What would you do if you were a florist ordered by your local government to provide an arrangement for a same-sex “wedding” or else pay a huge fine? Or a baker to provide a special cake at such a “wedding” – or else? Or a photographer? Or a pastor to open up the church chapel? Or a printer to help promote a gay pride parade?
Or what if you were ordered to help pay for an abortion through your insurance plan or through your taxes? Or to remove a cross or a display of the Ten Commandments on your personal property or local public property? Or to refrain from praying at public and/or officially sponsored meetings or events?
The list goes on for anything else the government might order you to do against your conscience.
The Manhattan Declaration
As citizens of two Kingdoms, what should we do when facing a choice between God and Caesar? Would we take a stand with those who are promoting the Manhattan Declaration — and why does it matter anyway?
The Manhattan Declaration was released in 2009 out of growing concerns about government-led attacks on the sanctity of life, the institution of marriage, and religious liberty – all of which have become even more intense since that time.
Spearheaded by the late Chuck Colson and then signed by some 150 prominent Christian leaders, the Declaration states that “We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.” To add your name, just go to www.manhattandeclaration.org.
Our Guests
John Sloop served as senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church on Court Square in Harrisonburg for over 26 years and is now our Forum Chaplain. Joining him is Angie Williams, a pastor, well-known public speaker, former employee of the Federal Aviation Administration, and author of Joy in Adversity.
Valley Faith in Action airs five times each week on WAZT-TV, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, again at 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, and finally at Wednesday midnight. That is on Comcast Cable Channel 13 in the central Shenandoah Valley area and on WIAV-TV at 8:00 p.m. Friday in Washington DC.
We value your prayers and your support, so please consider making a tax-deductible gift by check to the Valley Family Forum at 3465 Izaak Walton Dr., Harrisonburg, 22801.
For Life, Faith, Family, and Freedom,
Dean